Poll: How would you round out the 09-10 Lakers Roster?

[Luffy]

Prognosis: With both Odom and Ron Artest in the fold, the Lakers are heavy favorites to repeat. All they need to round out their roster is another lively big man off the bench — Josh Powell doesn't fill the bill — and a guard/wing who can provide another reliable scorer off the bench. It could very well be, however, that if Adam Morrison's leg has healed and fully regained its strength, he could be the secondary scorer for the second unit.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9871642/Keeping-Odom-should-keep-Lakers-on-top-of-NBA

Considering Lakers have 13 players (the NBA minimum) signed for next season, and with Chinemelu Elonu most likely cut or headed towards Europe, if you HAD to pick just one player to round out the 2009-2010 Laker roster for the veteran's minimum, who would it be?

I just compiled a quick list of veteran's minimum level players. For my choice, I'd say a young athletic forward like Rodney Carney or Gerald Green might be a low-cost, low-risk reward that might turn into the next Trevor Ariza for us.

EDIT: Updated poll options since some players were taken by other teams.

[TylersLakers]

I'd rather have Josh Powell. He's fine to step in when needed. He did a great job last year and I don't see that changing.

[Shiggity]

second that. Josh Powell is as solid as a second backup as you can get. He's had decent games, filled in nicely when Bynum was out, and has a good mid-range game. Great attitude albeit silent, but I like him on L.A.

[Tekkenlaw]

Rodney Carney, brings nearly everything that Ariza does, is better in some areas (Shooting) and worse in some (Defense). Though he is no slouch on defense.

His main problem is that he might be even worse than Trevor at creating off the dribble.

[RJM]

Rodney Carney, brings nearly everything that Ariza does, is better in some areas (Shooting) and worse in some (Defense). Though he is no slouch on defense.

His main problem is that he might be even worse than Trevor at creating off the dribble.

Agreed. Either him or Gerald Green, who I've wanted since he was waived last season.

[smdyp]

why don't the lakers sign Joe Smith?

[chefy]

Rodney Carney, brings nearly everything that Ariza does, is better in some areas (Shooting) and worse in some (Defense). Though he is no slouch on defense.

His main problem is that he might be even worse than Trevor at creating off the dribble.

yea I'll go with rodney too, he can play decent D, a decent shooter, plus hes still young so hes still going to improve. hes a perfect backup SG for us.

[RJM]

So long as he's a legit three point threat and can play decent-good defense while knowing and accepting his role, I'm all for him replacing Sasha.

[Qt525i]

I agree with the Powell support.

However, I kind of like the idea of Stack coming off the bench.
If it's just for a back-up role, vet's minimum, and scoring punch off the bench..

He's WAY more suited for that than Carney.
The "bigs" in the poll.. Suck. I'd rather have Artest down there and out of position than them.
Haven't seen enough of Simmons to say though.

Why not Stack, fellow board members?

Gerald Green under Kobe's wing.. That's crazy potential to me. Pipe dream that he's groomed by Kobe for the Lakers' future?

[Tekkenlaw]

Gerald Green is an athlete, not much more, Kobe would just get frustrated trying to mentor him with his low B-Ball IQ. I liked him when he came over to the Wolves in the KG trade but it's clear he's a fringe NBA player. I would still be pretty excited if the Lakers signed him because he's fun to watch and he still has some upside, but Carney is a much safer bet, he would become our new Ariza.

[Erik Eleven]

Leon Powe.

[joe.linnen]

I would go with Gerald Green. I would like to see him run with our second unit. Farmar/Vujacic/Green/Odom/Gasol

[DEEP3CL]

Kinda useless really because the team is DONE, no one is being added to this roster and the team has said it is carrying no more than the 13 they have now. Chinemelu Elonu will not be on the roster but he will be kept on the D-League team. It was very stupid for Fox Sports to write an article without doing it's homework to know the Lakers weren't adding anyone else period.

All those guys on the OP's list couldn't contribute anyway..........they won't learn the Tri overnight, and most don't have any skills compatible to the Tri.

[One Love]

Roster is COMPLETE in my opinion... We picked up Artest and kept LO & Brown... Enough said... LETS GO BABY...

[Luffy]

Oohh, looks like Joe Smith, Gerald Green, and Rodney Carney are tied in a tight 3-way race.

[hermes]

i thought we were sticking with the 13?

[Luffy]

We most likely are sticking with just the 13. This topic is more like a hypothetical "Who would you be your 14th player if you could make the decision?". I think the Lakers roster is perfectly fine as it is, and I predict we will at minimum make the NBA Finals again with this team and compete for a repeat.

At the same time, I would like to see the Lakers add a young player whose contributions have been limited in these past few years (think Ariza, Brown) and see the Lakers turn him into another gem. Basically, we're shifting through the junk out there looking for hidden treasure.

[LAL4Life]

Leon Powe.

Too late for that, but I would have loved to see that too. That guy can really play when healthy.

I'd love to see us pick of Joe Smith as another capable backup big or Stackhouse as some scoring punch off the bench to spell Kobe for 15 minutes a night (I have zero confidence in Sasha). Of course, we're more than fine as is.

[Dexmor]

I believe Carney would want more then the min. McCants I don't think would can play sf just as easy as sg so I would go with Gerald Green.

I believe the Lakers liked Gerald Green during draft time and he has a ton of potential. He can play sf/sg so he can backup Artest and Kobe big minutes if they want to rest or have a blowout. I also think if Artest and Kobe take him under there wing and teach him D by the time Bynum is ready to lead the team fully Gerald Green has an outside chance of being a #2. At worst he would be a very talented scorer off the bench.

[Luffy]

I believe Carney would want more then the min. McCants I don't think would can play sf just as easy as sg so I would go with Gerald Green.

I believe the Lakers liked Gerald Green during draft time and he has a ton of potential. He can play sf/sg so he can backup Artest and Kobe big minutes if they want to rest or have a blowout. I also think if Artest and Kobe take him under there wing and teach him D by the time Bynum is ready to lead the team fully Gerald Green has an outside chance of being a #2. At worst he would be a very talented scorer off the bench.

100% agree. With the right mentors and discipline provided from the Lakers, Gerald Green can be money for us. At worst, even players like Carney and Simmons might showcase some of their hidden potential playing for a contender like the Lakers.